Richard Dean Owen

Richard Dean Owen, age 70, of Belton, Texas passed away on Sunday morning, January 30, 2022.  Richard died peacefully in his sleep with family by his side at Temple Medical Center in Temple, Texas.

Richard was born in Kalamazoo, Michigan on April 26, 1951.  He was raised by his father, Dean G. Owen and stepmother, Betty Owen.  Richard grew up as an Army dependent with younger adopted brother, Michael C. Owen.  Years later in 2017, he met for the first time his biological brother, Ralph Thompson, of Coldwater, Michigan.

Richard proudly served as an aircraft mechanic for fifteen years in the United States Air Force with subsequent honorable discharge in 1985 ranked Sergeant.  Richard once served a deployment to Thailand during the Vietnam War.  He was blessed to visit many countries across Europe and the Asian Pacific and live in various states across the continental United States during both his father's and personal military service.  As a civilian finally settled in Belton, Texas, he continued to work as a military helicopter mechanic for Lockheed Martin Corporation for eight years and later drove commercial and construction trucks until retirement in March 2020.

Richard was preceded in death by his parents, Dean and Betty, and biological mother, Ruthe Anne Rice of Washington.  Survivors include his brothers, Mike and Ralph, and children, Katherine Owen Zittel of Belton, Texas, Susan Owen of Belton, Texas, William Owen of Round Rock, Texas and stepdaughter, Nelly Owen Gutierrez of Dublin, Ireland.  Also surviving him are nine grandchildren, Matthew, Kristyn, Michael, Tyrieke, Damerian, Nerikka, Nicolei and Phillip and great-grandsons, Liam, Chase and Cillian.

Richard will be laid to rest at a  graveside service held at the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery in Killeen, Texas on Thursday, February 10, 2022 at 2:00 P.M. with Pastor Les Williams of New Sunset Community Church in Killeen, Texas officiating.

The family wishes to extend their sincere appreciation to family friend and florist, Aida Lopez, Pastor Williams and Crotty Funeral Home in Belton for the arrangements in loving memory of proud father, grandfather and U.S.A.F. veteran, Richard Dean Owen.  May he Rest In Peace.